Let’s dive right in.
So recently, you invited the KapLifeFam to your place for breakfast (I love a good omelet), but what does dinner look like in your house on days when you don’t get home late from the studio? You have a busy schedule but from following your blog since the beginning of the year, it is clear you like to cook. To be more specific, what does a good Sunday night primetime football watching me consist of in your house?
There are days I don’t get home late from the studio? I kid. This question is an absolute joy to tackle (wink).
Ginger? Or Mary Ann?
Both. Ginger and Mary Ann each have their virtues. Recently, I appreciate subtle, simple beauty in a woman. That beauty can be aesthetic, intellectual or both. Cryptic, huh? Deal with it.
Mike:
you do no additional targeted exercises for bi/tri?
No, I do no additional exercises for biceps and triceps. Think about this, for me to bench press 335, my triceps need to be strong. Will utilizing a rope and pulley machine to move 75 pounds up and down be as impactful? No chance. If I do bent over rows with 315, are my biceps getting more adequately stressed than if I did concentration curls with 45 pound dumbbells in each hand? Yes. From workoutplan.com:
Another great compound exercise for blasting your biceps is the bent-over barbell row. This exercise involves standing bent over at about a ninety degree angle and pulling the barbell from the floor in towards your chest.
This is an intense, exhausting exercise that will leave your biceps begging for mercy. The bent-over barbell row is a great exercise for building your middle back muscles as well, and should be incorporated into your back workout for maximum results.
~Al~ says
You a gearhead at all, Kap? Cars, SUVS, trucks, motorcycles, ATVS, etc. No blog is complete without some engine discussion!
~Al~
Gabe Kapler says
Easy answer. My two favorite vehicles I’ve owned:
1) Custom Harley, Fatboy style with stretched tanks. Silver with flames.
2) 1979 CJ7, no doors no top, gritty, grimy, primer black.
Both deceased. Miss them both.
~Al~ says
Challenger Hellcat. Pure badassness.
Mike says
This question is some what directed at Pete, if you are around checking the open thread this week!
How do you remain flexible but also stick to your nutrition goals while on the road? I am also a part of a D1 program and found it challenging on road trips last year when so much is out of my control.
Thanks,
Mike
Peter Summerville says
Mike,
Of course I am checking the thread, and that is a great question.
For most flights I would eat a meal before we got on the bus to the airport and then bring a small snack (carrots or other veggies). This would make it so I was not hungry at the airport or flight.
Once I landed wherever we were going I would use per diem and find a local grocery store and get already cooked chicken breasts and veggies and maybe a bunch of bananas. This way you avoid fast food.
At Santa Clara, our main road trips were to Pepperdine, LMU, San Diego. So approximately 6-8 hours. Just like flights, I would try and eat before, however I would make sure I went to Trader Joes before every bus trip and pack snacks and ideally a steak or chicken breast. Sometimes a sandwich. The key is preparation and making time to get to the store.
I was not perfect and if you find yourself in a restaurant with your teammates, try and make your order relatively healthy and get a protien and some greens. Avoid the bottomless fries and endless warm bread those places serve.
Does that help?
Have a great weekend!
-Peter
kbeyazdancer says
I believe I have said it a few times-You have a good head on your shoulders. Such maturity!
-Kelebek
Lee says
Can I give you a hug sometime?
And I don’t mean one of those half-assed bro handshake/hug combos…
I’m talking about a nice, big two-armer that you hold for a few more seconds than normal.
Char says
Gabe, can you give me a word of encouragement? I’m trying to lose 25 pounds and get back in (reasonable) shape. I lost 9-10 pounds with workouts and avoiding sweets/alcohol, but the last couple of weeks I seem to have plateaued. It’s depressing. 🙁 Any boost you can give me would be much appreciated.
kbeyazdancer says
Keep at it hun! Don’t give up! You’ve already done a great job buy losing some weight already. It’s a lot easier to gain weight than it is lose weight. We all hit the plateau and get frustrated. You may need to change up your workout routine to maximize your results (Kap has a great post on that topic).
Best of luck!
-Kelebek
Char says
Thanks much. 🙂 My Achilles heel is sweets, so I just have to swear off them, period. I’ll keep your post in mind and keep slugging along.
kbeyazdancer says
Hang in there in love! Took me awhile to lose the 40 pounds I gained after my car accident but I did it. You will do it too!
Greg says
Hey Char,
A quick tip that may help regarding your sweet tooth which I also share. I started focusing on weight loss last March and have lost 40lbs. Every night after dinner I eat 3 squares of Dove Dark chocolate. It has given me that quick hit of chocolate at less than 200 calories that satisfies my craving but keeps me away from a giant piece of cake or full sleeve of Oreos. I have found it really effective. Keep striving!
GT
M.squared says
Kap-
How often are you eating meat per week?
Any cardiovascular concerns..?
Have you ever flushed this out with a heart doc?
Today you spoke of a planned indulgence… Were you referring to the bun and beer? All of the other stuff seemed within scope (grass fed ground beef, sweet potatoes, Guac). Did I miss something?
kbeyazdancer says
” If I have a planned indulgence, however, I’m making guacamole, crushing a huge burger with blue cheese and salting a giant plate of sweet potato fries. An almost frozen, icy lager completes the picture. ” Good Lord-I had an absolute food-gasm just now. Ok-what’s your address? I’ll bring my smoker to throw some meat and vegatables on and my standup bass so we can jam during half time(Smile). Glad you tackled my question and no flags were thrown.
Where are your top five places to vacation that you have not visited yet?
Happy Saturday love
-Kelebek
James says
Kap I know you are not into post work out powders. I have read that a good thing to drink after a work out is chocolate milk. Im sure you think grass fed beef is tops, but if on the go would some organic chocolate milk be a decent back up in your opinion? How do you feel about dairy in general? I seem to come across many who avoid it.
Hollie Hamilton says
Anyone feel free to answer, so how can I recover quickly, I’m just getting into fitness and I love yoga but Friday was my child’s school carnival, I lifted tables, set up booths ran around the school getting this and that, started at 10am, off at 7pm.then today at 10am I did yoga demos with my instructor for a women’s health fair, my muscles were so sore I couldn’t do as much as I do normally. For next time what can I do overnight to help myself recover so I don’t hurt so much.
M.squared says
Kap-
Being away from the blog this week has left me with many questions…. I apologize for the follow Q…
Can you share what an average days meals looks for you? Breakfast-lunch-dinner-snacks….please be as specific as possible (quantities as well).
While I think I have made some serious strides in my eating, I am cognizant of the fact that I can be much better and find myself resonating with much of what you share with us.
Thanks.
Read you mañana.
Nate says
Had a question about your post on taking a break from training. When you say take a week off, do you mean do absolutely nothing training wise or is there some maintenance during the week? Cardio, light weights, body weight exercises, etc.. Been thinking hard about this, just don’t know if I can physically keep myself away from training for that long. I’m on the same page with you, I need the activity.
Kevin McNeil. says
Do you count macros at all?
What would you consider a good split, protein/fat/carbs and why?
Steve says
Kap,
What was your favorite workout or exercise that you thought helped increase bat speed the most? A certain forearm circuit? Hip explosiveness?
I have to hit bombs this year. #DraftYear
Thanks and Aloha Brah!!!
#ThoughtsBecomeThings
#MassUp
Matt Dorsey says
Kap, I’d love to hear your thoughts on this as well. Do you think your 5×5 plan is best for baseball as well, would you tinker with it at all if you were still training for baseball? Also, do your young men partake in the 5×5? My 14 year old is starting to get his workouts more seriously and I am trying to help. We are following the 5×5 for the most part while working in some agility stuff.
Thanks!
Peter Summerville says
Matt,
Gabe wrote an article about training for kids here: https://kaplifestyle.com/2014/01/kids-lifting
Also, for training for baseball, yes the 5×5 is intended to workout all of the muscle groups through each exercise.
Let us know if there is any other questions we may be able to help you with.
-Peter
Josh says
Kap I know you don’t like supplements…and you’re swaying my opinion drastically. However, RX bars are made from whole food items (egg whites, figs, dates, almonds) with no crazy chemicals, sweeteners, artificial or natural. They taste great have a good nutritional profile. Tried em? Thoughts?
-Josh
Mike says
Kap, approaching 35 and elbows and knees are starting to feel a little stressed when i wake up. I assume this is from weights for the past 20 years, any similar stuff on your end? How do you combat the joint pains?
Bruce says
Kap,
Have you ever struggled with the grip on deadlifts? I usually feel I have the strength to continue the exercise but my hands are giving out way before the targeted muscles are. It’s a mixture of slipping and straight up pain. I really would prefer not to wear gloves and based on the fact that I’ve never seen it there, I’m guessing my gym doesn’t allow chalk. Any other ideas? Thanks!
Tist724 says
Ever try wrist straps? Like these…
http://www.amazon.com/gp/aw/d/B001SG5LNG/ref=mp_s_a_1_1?qid=1413821766&sr=8-1&pi=SY200_QL40
Jordan Slade says
Hey Kap since following your site here. I’m down about 6 pounds and been slowly eating cleaner and having a better lifestyle. Thank you for your wisdom Kap.
Peter Summerville says
Jordan,
That is inspiring to hear. Thank you for sharing that with us.
-Peter
Jordan Slade says
Thank you as well Peter for your contributions. I’ll be sure to keep the KapFamily updated
Matt Cameron (@Matt_Chartwell) says
Hey Kap,
I’ve been doing your 5×5 workout for a couple weeks now. I was doing a 5 day bodybuilding split before that and I don’t feel nearly the same stiffness the next day with the 5×5. It makes me feel like I’m missing something and not getting the same tissue breakdown. How do you feel after your workouts? Any advice on this?
Cheers,
Matt
Jerry says
I have been working with a modified version of your workout with weights. After 5 years of focused, target muscle groups and not getting the results I want, it has been amazing to see the change in not our my physical body shape, but my overall strength due to the usage of multiple muscle groups in the lifts. I feel stronger and more energetic at 50 than I have in years. You are right – it does get dull from time to time and I figure out ways to mix it up, but the results make it worth it.
Glad to be part of the Kapteam!
Jerry
Mike says
Kap – more 5×5 questions… after you hit whatever your goal (maybe it takes you a few weeks), I assume you go up the next time? The Pull-ups you do are obviously weighted? Thanks – I am really interested in giving this a shot but seem to have tons of questions.